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Paulsen Meets with Director of Minneapolis VA

Washington, D.C.– Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) met with the Director of the Minneapolis Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital, Patrick Kelly, and the rest of the leadership team to discuss the current status at the Minneapolis VA. Nationally, the VA has been mired in scandal with over 57,000 veterans waiting more than 90 days to see a doctor. An Inspector General report also found widespread cases of fraud from ‘secret waiting lists’ meant to make facility wait times appear shorter than they actually were. Locally, the Minneapolis VA has fared much better with 80% of initial appointments scheduled within 14 days.

“The long waits our veterans around the nation are receiving at the VA is unacceptable,” said Paulsen. “I’m glad to hear that the Minneapolis VA does not have problems that many other facilities are facing, but there is always more that can still be done to ensure Minnesota veterans have access to quality care. Director Kelly assured me they are working to continually improve services at the VA and I appreciate his attentiveness and hard work on this issue.”

Paulsen recently backed legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would give the VA Secretary more flexibility in firing below standard administrators. The bill also provides vouchers for veterans to seek care outside the VA system instead of waiting in line.

Congressman Paulsen also has authored legislation removing barriers for veterans to contribute to Health Savings Accounts, giving them more flexibility and choices to meet their health care needs.

Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Congressman Paulsen’s work in Congress visit paulsen.house.gov.

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